“You Take This Day by Day, Come What May”: A Qualitative Study of the Psychosocial Impacts of Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Studies have reported health-related quality-of-life impacts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); however, further research is needed to understand how those with DMD experience their condition and how psychosocial impacts evolve over time in response to disease progression. This qualitative study explores the social and emotional implications of key transitions, challenges and adaptations throughout the disease course from the perspective of patients and family caregivers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with men and boys with DMD, and/or their caregivers, in the USA. Thematic analysis was used to examine patterns in data collected across the interviews. Nineteen participants were included. Three major themes were identified: (1) barriers to participation are multifaceted; (2) an emotional journey shaped by ‘inevitable progression;' (3) family provides critical tangible and emotional support. This study illustrates that psychosocial impacts of DMD are shaped by knowledge of the condition’s natural history alongside other factors including the extent of social barriers, personal growth and adaptation, and family support. Findings provide insight into the strength and resilience with which individuals and their families respond to daily challenges and major clinical milestones and highlight the relative importance of loss of upper limb function as a transition in DMD affecting health-related quality-of-life.